R E C O N F I G U R E D S K I L L M A N S T R E E T B R I D G E The recon gured bridge over I-635 will add two additional turn lanes, two dedicated U-turn lanes, improved pedestrian access and a dedicated cycle lane. The design calls for large arches bound to the bridge by steel cables for a signature gateway to the community.
The Texas Department of Transportation is leading the way on this construction project to improve mobility, operations and safety along I-635 in Dallas County.
New interchange at S K I L L M A N S T R E E T
*INCLUDED IN $1.74B TOTAL
3 FOOT BUFFER BETWEEN TRAFFIC & SIDEWALK
CYCLE TRACK
3 FOOT BUFFER
SIDEWALK ARCH
SIDEWALK ARCH
Cost: $58 million*
Projected daily tra c: 78,100 cars by 2035
COMPLETED BRIDGE ADDS 2 MORE TURN LANES
Once construction is done, Skillman and Audelia will connect with a traditional four-way intersection both north and south of I-635. B
ADLETA BLVD.
1B
Skillman Street bridge
ADLETA CT.
WHITEHURST DR.
635
2B
LBJ SKILLMAN STATION
AUDELIA RD.
View from I-635
Street-level view from Skillman Street
N
RENDERINGS COURTESY PEGASUS LINK CONSTRUCTORS
Brian Boyd, manager of Doctor Eyecare at the southwest corner of the interchange, said he is glad the project is moving forward. “I have had customers comment to me that they don’t want to mess with the intersection here. ... I kind of don’t blame them,” Boyd said. “In the end, we know it’s going to be good for the neighborhood, so we’re willing to deal with what we have to deal with.” Skillman interchange project The most noticeable change planned is for the Skillman bridge. The bridge has three lanes in each direction, one turning lane in each direction and a narrow sidewalk on either side. After completion, the bridge will have two turning lanes in each direction plus two new U-turn lanes added on the outer edges. The new design also improves safety of cyclists and pedestrians with wider sidewalks, a dedicated cycle lane and a bu er from the tra c.
The straightened alignment of Skillman along with similar improvements to Audelia Road in that area are also expected to improve safety, according to project plans. The bridge’s design involves large arches bound to the bridge by steel cables. It will also have dynamic color-changing lights, according to plans. “The arched bridge is going to be unlike any other bridge up and down [I-]635, and it’s going to be very identi able and noticeable,” Housewright said. “It’s a front door; it’s a gateway.” ‘Connect the community together’ Those who helped push the Skillman interchange project past the nish line have all spoken about the positive impacts the project will have on tra c and economic development. They say perhaps most important, however, is the e ect the project will have on the Lake Highlands community itself.
“Because of what the community has done to rally around this project and reallymake it a success, the way it’s being redesigned, it’s going to connect the community together, and I think there’s some camaraderie that’s going to happen because of the increased access,” Morgan said. The project’s success also led McGough to realize how powerful community e orts can be. “A small group of passionate people can really build bridges,” he said. “Between Housewright cre- ating the vision, Morgan carrying the baton, and then all the Lake Highlands and Hamilton Park lead- ers coming to make the case, it proved that [building bridges] really does work, even at the highest level of state government.”
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION • APRIL 2022
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